Round-the-world cruise that was stuck in Belfast for four months forced to return hours after finally leaving

The seemingly cursed Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey finally left Northern Island yesterday (30 September) after a four-month wait in Belfast, but it has been made to turn back.

Its 125 passengers, which are mostly North Americans, will be making another stop in the Northern Irish capital, though they'll hope that it won't be for anywhere near as long.

Just hours after thinking they'd left British shores for the first time in months to embark on their travels, they'll be back again for one reason.

After setting off yesterday, they've been made to do a U-turn (PA)

Having arrived at Queen's Island in Belfast to be outfitted before it was scheduled to leave on 30 May, the Villa Vie Odyssey was stuck in city's port due to problems with its rudders and gearbox, pushing back the ship's departure date to 30 September.

Earlier this week, the cruise ship was given some final inspections before it could be signed off to disembark.

The unplanned layover in Belfast has cost Villa Vie Residences millions of pounds, as they have had to pay for lodging for their passengers.

In total, there was a 17-week delay, but it was still in a Harland and Wolff repair yard after its scheduled boarding time of 5pm on Monday, as it set sail at 11.30pm.

It has been confirmed by Villa Vie and reported by the BBC that its return to Belfast is due to some missing and unsigned paperwork.

Villa Vie Residences chief executive Mike Petterson told LADbible: "We can't leave the general Belfast general area until the administrative paperwork has been finalised.

"We simply go back to Belfast to top up on fuel, nothing else."

Work has been carried out on the cruise ship for months (PA)

The cruise ship is scheduled to return to Belfast harbour at around 1.30pm according to harbour information, as passengers will be made to wait once again for the worldwide adventure that they paid so much for.

It is expected to disembark for the second time at 11pm tonight (1 October), according to the BBC.

A cabin on the ship costs between £75,000 and £670,000.

Despite this, many passengers were unbothered by the extended stay in Northern Ireland, with two of the guests even meeting and falling in love during the delay, pulling the opposite of the Titanic love story.

Petterson said that he was 'a little stressed' while at the terminal, as they were looking to sort 'a few last-minute things.'

He told Metro: "It’s administrative paperwork. We needed the right person to press the button, at the end of the day. It’s been done and we’re putting the vessel in motion right now.

"The harbour master has been in direct contact with the MD. We’ve been expecting this outcome for hours.

"The good news is that we have complete clearance and we will be out of here very, very, very soon."

The cruise has faced some hiccups on its journey so far (Villa Vie Residences)

When asked by the local reporter about his time in Belfast, he joked, ‘your summer is horrible’ and ‘you can’t cook to save your lives, but you do know how to drink'.

Passenger Donna Martemucci opened up about the situation to the BBC, saying: "Another day to explore a lovely city. All good."

Another passenger, John Frim admitted he was a bit 'confused' by everything, but that he was happy to have slept 'in his own bed' on board the luxury cruiseliner.

When the vessel made its way to sea, passengers could be heard shouting 'goodbye Belfast' while waving, ready to go on their long cruise, which could last years for those that bought a villa onboard.

If the Odyssey stuck to its original departure date of 30 May, its passengers would be in the Bahamas right now.